Amazon RDS vs Linode

Managed databases for people who'd rather not manage databases meets the cloud provider that doesn't make you feel like you're navigating a corporate maze just to spin up a server. Here's our take.

Amazon RDS

Nice Pick

Managed databases for people who'd rather not manage databases. It's like having a DBA on retainer, but cheaper and less opinionated.

Pros

• Automates backups, patching, and scaling, so you can focus on your app instead of babysitting servers
• Supports multiple engines like PostgreSQL and MySQL, making it easy to switch or standardize
• Built-in high availability with Multi-AZ deployments, because downtime is for amateurs

Cons

• Costs can sneak up on you with instance sizes and storage, especially if you forget to turn things off
• Limited control over the underlying OS and some database settings, which can be frustrating for power users

Linode

The cloud provider that doesn't make you feel like you're navigating a corporate maze just to spin up a server.

Pros

• Transparent, predictable pricing with no hidden fees
• Simple, intuitive web interface that actually makes sense
• Excellent documentation and responsive support
• High-performance SSD-based VPS with global data centers

Cons

• Fewer advanced enterprise features compared to AWS or Azure
• Managed services can be limited for complex workloads

The Verdict

Use Amazon RDS if: You want automates backups, patching, and scaling, so you can focus on your app instead of babysitting servers and can live with costs can sneak up on you with instance sizes and storage, especially if you forget to turn things off.

Use Linode if: You prioritize transparent, predictable pricing with no hidden fees over what Amazon RDS offers.

The Bottom Line

Amazon RDS wins

Managed databases for people who'd rather not manage databases. It's like having a DBA on retainer, but cheaper and less opinionated.